Poster Title: A Quantitative and Geospatial Analysis of the University of South Florida’s Tobacco-Free PolicySubmitted on 09 Feb 2018Author(s): Sarah E. Powell, Amy Gatto MPH, Shahriar Zamani, Liberty B. Sales, Rita DeBate PhDAffiliations: University of South Florida Center for Transdisciplinary Research in College Health and Well-beingThis poster was presented at USF Health Research Day 2018Poster Views: 424View poster »

Poster Information

Abstract: Abstract: Brief Abstract: A college campus that implemented a tobacco-free policy continued to observe tobacco use on campus. To analyze this newly implemented tobacco-free policy at a large urban college a cross-sectional study was implemented. It included a campus wide survey as well as observational geospatial data of tobacco policy violations. The survey collected information regarding knowledge of the tobacco-free policy. The geospatial data was collected using ArcGIS Collector application, points of observed tobacco-free policy violations are mapped. The created map allows campus policy makers to visualize where tobacco policy enforcement needs strengthening. With the growing number of colleges creating tobacco-free policies, new and innovative evaluation techniques are needed to ensure the policies are resulting their desired effect: reduced smoking on campuses.Summary: A college campus has a new and innovative tobacco-free policy. This policy banned the use of all tobacco products. However, tobacco continued being used. To find out where, and why tobacco use continued a research team conducted a community survey and used mapping technology to visualize where tobacco was still being used. Both the survey and the map are being used to re-implement the tobacco-free policy.References: American College Health Association. (2017). Healthy Campus 2020 - Student Objectives. Retrieved from https://www.acha.org/HealthyCampus/Objectives/Student_Objectives/HealthyCampus/Student_Objectives.aspx?hkey=a9f191de-243b-41c6-b913-c012961ecab9